Fiber optic cable for connectorization and method

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, having a core surrounded by a cladding, and a jacket, which surrounds the optical fiber. The jacket includes a plurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material of the jacket. The connector assembly includes a rear housing having a connector end that is directly engaged with an end portion of the jacket. A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding. The fiber optic cable also includes a jacket that surrounds the optical fiber. The jacket includes about 40% to about 70% by weight of a plurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material of the jacket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/056,462 entitled “Fiber Optic Cable forConnectorization and Method” and filed on May 28, 2008, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fiber optic cables, and moreparticularly, to fiber optic cables adapted for connectorization.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit light signals for highspeed data transmission. A fiber optic cable typically includes: (1) anoptical fiber or optical fibers; (2) a buffer or buffers that surroundsthe fiber or fibers; (3) a strength layer that surrounds the buffer orbuffers; and (4) a jacket. Optical fibers function to carry opticalsignals. A typical optical fiber includes a core surrounded by acladding that is covered by a protective coating or coatings. Bufferlayers (e.g., loose or tight buffer tubes) typically function tosurround and protect coated optical fibers. Strength layers addmechanical strength to fiber optic cables to protect the internaloptical fibers against stresses applied to the cables duringinstallation and thereafter. Example strength layers include aramidyarn, steel and epoxy reinforced glass roving. Jackets provideprotection against damage caused by crushing, abrasions, and otherphysical damage. Jackets also provide protection against chemical damage(e.g., ozone, alkali, acids).

Fiber optic cable assemblies typically include fiber optic connectors.In prior art fiber optic cable assemblies, fiber optic connectors areusually directly engaged to the strength layer. However, as strengthlayers typically include aramid yarn, these layers can be difficult withwhich to work. In particular, the strength layers can be difficult tocut and often require special cutting tools.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic cable assemblyhaving a fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The fiber opticcable includes an optical fiber, having a core surrounded by a cladding,and a jacket, which surrounds the optical fiber. The jacket includes aplurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material ofthe jacket. The connector assembly includes a rear housing having aconnector end that is directly engaged with an end portion of thejacket.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic cable havingan optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding. The fiber opticcable also includes a jacket that surrounds the optical fiber. Thejacket includes about 40% to about 70% by weight of a plurality ofreinforcement members integrated into a matrix material of the jacket.In one embodiment, the jacket also includes an end portion, the outersurface of which includes a texturized gripping surface.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing afiber optic cable. In this method, a matrix material and a plurality ofreinforcement members are mixed in an extruder. The mixture is extrudedthrough an annular extrusion passage of an extrusion die to form ajacket. An end portion of the jacket is texturized.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fiber optic cable having featuresthat are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly engaged withthe fiber optic cable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of a connectorassembly engage with the fiber optic cable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of aconnector assembly and a fiber optic cable having features that areexamples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a system for manufacturing thefiber optic cables of FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a crosshead that can be used with the system of FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a fiber optic cable, generally designated 10,is shown. The fiber optic cable 10 includes at least one optical fiber12, a buffer layer 14, and a jacket, generally designated 16.

The optical fiber 12 carries optical signals through the fiber opticcable 10. Typically, the optical fiber 12 includes a core, which is thelight-conducting central portion of the optical fiber 12, and acladding. The cladding surrounds the core and is typically composed of asilica-based material having a lower index of refraction than thesilica-based material of the core. Light is internally reflected withinthe core to transmit the optical signal along the core. In addition tothe core and cladding, the optical fiber usually includes one or moreprotective acrylate polymer coatings that surround the cladding. Typicaloutside diameters for the cores of the optical fibers 12 are less thanor equal to about 10 μm for a single mode or bend insensitive core (orless than or equal to about 62 μm for multimode core), less than orequal to about 150 μm for the cladding, and less than or equal to about300 μm for one or more protective coatings.

In the subject embodiment, the buffer layer 14 is depicted as a tightbuffer layer that surrounds the optical fiber 12. The buffer layer 14provides protection of the optical fiber 12. It will be appreciated thatthe buffer layer 14 can be made of a polymeric material such aspolyvinyl choloride (PVC). Other polymeric materials (e.g.,polyethylenes, polyurethanes, polypropylenes, polyvinylidene fluorides,ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyester, or other materials) may alsobe used. Typically, the outer diameter of the buffer layer 14 is lessthan or equal to about 950 μm. In certain embodiments, however, thefiber optic cable 10 may not include the buffer layer 14.

The jacket 16 includes a matrix material 18 (e.g., polyethylene,polypropylene, ethylene-propylene, copolymers, polystyrene, and styrenecopolymers, PVC, polyamide (nylon), flouropolymers, polyesters such aspolyethylene terephthalate, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide,polyetherimide, polybutylene terephthalate, low smoke zero halogens,polyolefins and polycarbonate, as well as other thermoplastic materials)and a plurality of reinforcement members 20 (e.g., rods, tendrils,extensions, fibers, etc.), such as aramid yarns or amorphous liquidcrystal polymers, embedded within the matrix material 18. Thereinforcement members 20 are embedded in the jacket 16 to increase thetensile strength of the jacket 16 and to decrease the percent elongationof the jacket 16 when the jacket 16 is subjected to a tensile force. Aswill be described in greater detail subsequently, in the subjectembodiment, the reinforcement members 20 are mixed in with the matrixmaterial 18 prior to the extrusion of the jacket 16. In the preferredembodiment, the reinforcement members 20 make up about 40% to about 70%of the total weight of the jacket 16. In another embodiment, thereinforcement members 20 make up at least about 40% of the total weightof the jacket 16.

Each of the reinforcement members 20 has a length that is less than thetotal length of the fiber optic cable 10. In certain embodiments, thelengths of the reinforcement members 20 are less than or equal to 3.2mm, while the diameter of the reinforcement members 20 is less than orequal to 100 μm.

In another embodiment, the volume of reinforcement members 20 in thematrix material 18 and dimensions of the reinforcement members 20 aresuch that the elongation of the jacket 16 is less than 3% when thejacket is subjected to a 26 lb. tensile force. In another embodiment,the volume of reinforcement members 20 in the matrix material 18 anddimensions of the reinforcement members 20 are such that the elongationof the jacket 16 is less than 2% when the jacket is subjected to a 26lb. tensile force. In another embodiment, the volume of reinforcementmembers 20 in the matrix material 18 and dimensions of the reinforcementmembers 20 are such that the elongation of the jacket 16 is less than 1%when the jacket is subjected to a 26 lb. tensile force. Thereinforcement members 20 are evenly distributed in the matrix material18 of the jacket 16. While the orientation of the reinforcement members20 prior to extrusion is generally random, during the extrusion process,the reinforcement members 20 have lengths generally aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the fiber optic cable 10.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the jacket 16 further includes an outersurface 22 having an end portion, generally designated 24. In thesubject embodiment, the end portion 24 of the outer surface 22 includesa texturized surface 26 (e.g., bumps, projections, ridges, surfaceirregularities, etc.). In one embodiment, the texturized surface 26 is aknurled surface. In another embodiment, the texturized surface 26 is aplurality of external threads.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the fiber optic cable 10 is shown with aconnector assembly, generally designated 28, attached to the end portion24 of the fiber optic cable 10. In the subject embodiment, the connectorassembly 28 includes a rear housing 30, a front housing 32, and aferrule assembly, generally designated 34. The rear housing 30 is heldin snap-fit engagement with the front housing 32 by a plurality of tabs36 defined by the rear housing 30 and corresponding recesses 38 definedby the front housing 32. The rear housing 30 and the front housing 32cooperate to define a central passageway 40, which includes a proximalportion 42 and a distal portion 44.

The ferrule assembly 34 of the connector assembly 28 is disposed in thecentral passageway 40 of the connector assembly 28. The ferrule assembly34 includes a ferrule 46 (e.g., a ceramic ferrule), a ferrule holder 48,which is mounted on the ferrule 46, and a spring 50. The ferrule holder48 includes an end surface 52 and a shoulder 54. In the connectorassembly 28, the spring 50 is disposed between the shoulder 54 of theferrule holder 48 and a spring surface 56 defined by the rear housing30. With the spring 50 disposed between the ferrule holder 48 and therear housing 30, the spring 50 biases the ferrule 46 toward the distalportion 44 of the central passageway 40. The ferrule holder 48 isretained in the connector assembly 28 by the abutment of the end surface52 and a rim 58 defined by the front housing 32.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the rear housing 30 of the connector assembly28 includes a connector end 60, which protrudes from an end surface 62of the rear housing 30. The connector end 60 defines an inner cavity 64that is adapted to receive the jacket 16 of the fiber optic cable 10. Inthe depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, the connector end 60 is made up of athin wall of material (e.g., copper, etc.) that is generally cylindricalin shape. The thin wall of the connector end 60 allows for the connectorend 60 to be easily deformed as will be described in more detailsubsequently.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the connectorassembly 28 is shown. In this alternate embodiment, a connector endportion 70 protrudes from the end surface 62 of the rear housing 30. Theconnector end portion 70 defines an inner bore 72 having a plurality ofinternal threads 74. The internal threads 74 of the inner bore 72 areadapted to receive the jacket 16 of the fiber optic cable 10 in threadedengagement.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly of the fiber optic cable 10and the connector assembly 28 will be described. In the subjectembodiment, the jacket 16, the buffer layer 14 and the one or moreprotective coatings of the optical fiber 12 are stripped from the fiberoptic cable 10 to expose the optical fiber 12. Epoxy is inserted into aferrule passage 76 that extends longitudinally through the ferrule 46.With epoxy disposed in the ferrule passage 76, the buffer layer 14 andthe optical fiber 12 of the fiber optic cable 10 are inserted throughthe proximal portion 42 of the central passageway 40 in the rear housing30 so that the optical fiber 12 extends through the ferrule passageway76. The fiber optic cable 10 is inserted through the proximal portion 42until the end portion 24 of the jacket 16 is positioned in the innercavity 64 of the connector end 60.

With the end portion 24 of the jacket 16 disposed in the inner cavity 64of the connector end 60, the connector assembly 28 is secured to thejacket 16. In one embodiment, the connector end 60 is mechanicallyswaged, crimped, deformed, or tightened directly around the jacket 16 toprovide retention of the connector assembly 28 to the fiber optic cable10. In the subject embodiment, the textured surface 26 assists with thisretention by providing a surface with a high coefficient of friction.

In another embodiment, the connector end 60 is ultrasonically welded orultrasonically swaged to the end portion 24 of the jacket 16 to provideretention of the connector assembly 28 to the fiber optic cable 10. Inanother embodiment, the connector end 60 is thermally welded to the endportion of the jacket 16. In another embodiment, at least one of theinner cavity 64 of the connector end 60 and the end portion 24 of thejacket 16 has a coating. The coating is used to secure the connector end60 to the end portion 24 of the jacket 16 through a UV-curing process.In another embodiment, the connector end 60 is over-molded to the endportion 24 of the jacket 16 (e.g., a portion of the rear housing 30 isover-molded to the end portion 24 of the jacket 16). It will beunderstood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to the connector assembly 128 being mechanical swaged,ultrasonically swaged, thermally welded or bonded to the fiber opticcable 1 10.

With the connector assembly 28 secured to the jacket 16 and with theepoxy in the ferrule passageway 76 cured, an end 78 of the optical fiber12 that extends beyond the ferrule 46 is cleaved. After the end 78 ofthe optical fiber 12 is cleaved, the end 78 of the optical fiber 12 ispolished.

With the connector end 60 tightly engaged with the textured surface 26of the end portion 24 of the jacket 16, a significant pull-out force isrequired to disengage the connector end 60 from the end portion 24 ofthe jacket 16. By way of example only, with the connector end 60 tightlyengaged with the textured surface 26 of the jacket 16, the pull-outforce required to disengage the connector assembly 28 from the fiberoptic cable 10 would be at least about 26 lbs.

Typically, prior art fiber optic cables include a loose strength layer,such as aramid yarn, disposed between the buffer layer and the jacket.Connector assemblies are typically affixed to the prior art fiber opticcable at the strength layer. However, while this method of affixationperforms successfully for many applications, strength layers can bedifficult with which to work. In particular, loose aramid yarn strengthlayers can be difficult to cut given the flexibility of the aramid yarnand the aramid yarn's high resistance to cutting. As stated previously,this high resistance to cutting often requires special tools and can bequite time consuming. In addition, the loose strength layer makesautomation of the fiber optic cable manufacturing process difficult asthe loose strength layer can be difficult to control during automation.

The present disclosure overcomes these problems by having a fiber opticcable 10 that does not include a separate strength layer. To affix theconnector assembly 28 to the fiber optic cable 10, which does notinclude a separate strength layer, the connector assembly is directlyconnected to the jacket 16. However, in order to provide an adequatepull-out force yet prevent the jacket 16 from breaking as a result ofsuch force, the reinforcement members 20 are embedded or otherwiseintegrated into the matrix material 18 of the jacket 16 so as to improvethe tensile strength of the jacket 16.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of a fiber optic cable110 and a connector assembly 128 is shown. The fiber optic cable 110includes an optical fiber 112, a buffer layer 114, and a jacket,generally designated 116. The jacket 116 includes a matrix material 118and a plurality of reinforcement members 120. The jacket 116 furtherincludes an outer surface 122 having an end portion, generallydesignated 124. The end portion 124 of the outer surface 122 istexturized so as to provide a gripping surface 126 that is coarser thanthe non-texturized portions of the outer surface 122. The jacket 116further defines a bore 166 that is disposed in the end portion 124. Thebore 166 is adapted to receive a connector end 160 of the connectorassembly 128.

The connector assembly 128 includes a rear housing 130, a front housing132, and a ferrule assembly 134. The connector assembly 128 defines acentral passageway 140 having a proximal portion 142 and a distalportion 144. The connector end 160 extends from an end surface 162 ofthe rear housing 130 of the connector assembly 128. The connector end160 includes a plurality of flared portions 168 that open toward thedistal portion 144 of the central passageway 140. This orientation ofthe flared portions 168 prevents inadvertent disengagement of theconnector end 160 from the bore 166 in the end portion 124 of the jacket116. As will be described in greater detail subsequently, the flaredportions 168 of the connector end 160 of the connector assembly 128 anda crimp 170, which is positioned exterior to the gripping surface 126 ofthe fiber optic cable 110, provide for the retention of the connectorassembly 128 to the end portion 124 of the fiber optic cable 110.

To assemble the connector assembly 128 to the fiber optic cable 110, thecrimp 170 is disposed around the gripping surface 126 of the fiber opticcable 110. The connector end 160 is inserted into the bore 166 that isdefined by the end portion 124 of the jacket 116. With the connector end160 disposed in the bore 166 of the jacket 116, the crimp 170 istightened down around the gripping surface 126 of the jacket 116. Thetexturization of the gripping surface 126 provides for greater retentionof the crimp 170 to the outer surface 122 of the jacket 116 due to thehigh coefficient of friction of the gripping surface 126. With the crimp170 tightened to the outer surface 122 of the jacket 116, the jacket 116is tightened around the connector end 160 and the plurality of flaredportions 168. As described previously, the flared portions 168 of theconnector end 160 open toward the distal portion 144 of the centralpassageway 140. With the orientation of the flared portions 168 facingthe distal portion 144 of the central passageway 140 and the jacket 116tightly engaged to the connector end 160, a significant pull-out forceis required to disengage the connector end 160 from the end portion 124of the jacket 116. In addition to the mechanical swaging of theconnector assembly 128 to the fiber optic cable 110 as described above,the assembly can also include any one or more of the following:ultrasonic swaging/welding, thermal welding, or bonding. It will beunderstood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to the connector assembly 128 being mechanical swaged,ultrasonically swaged, thermally welded or bonded to the fiber opticcable 110.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a system 200 for making the fiber optic cable10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The system 200 includes a crosshead,generally designated 202, that receives thermoplastic material from anextruder, generally designated 204. A hopper 206 is used to feedmaterials into the extruder 204. A first conveyor 208 conveys the matrixmaterial 18 to the hopper 206. A second conveyor 210 conveys thereinforcement members 20 to the hopper 206. The extruder 204 is heatedby a heating system 212 that may include one or more heating elementsfor heating zones of the extruder as well as the crosshead to desiredprocessing temperatures. The optical fiber 12 covered by the bufferlayer 14 is fed into the crosshead 202 from a feed roll 214. A watertrough 218 is located downstream from the crosshead 202 for cooling theextruded product that exits the crosshead 202. The cooled final productis stored on a take-up roll 220 rotated by a drive mechanism 222. Acontroller 224 coordinates the operation of the various components ofthe system 200.

In use of the system 200, the matrix material 18 and the reinforcementmembers 20 are delivered to the hopper 206 by the first and secondconveyors 208, 210, respectively. In certain embodiments, the matrixmaterial 18 and the reinforcement members 20 can be delivered to thehopper 206 in pellet form, and the first and second conveyors 208, 210can include conveyor belts or screw augers. The controller 224preferably controls the proportions of the matrix material 18 and thereinforcement members 20 delivered to the hopper 206. In one embodiment,the reinforcement members 20 constitute at least about 40% by weight ofthe total material delivered to the hopper 206. In another embodiment,the reinforcement members 20 constitute about 40% to about 70% by weightof the total material delivered to the hopper 206.

From the hopper 206, the material moves by gravity into the extruder204. In the extruder 204, the material is mixed, masticated, and heated.The extruder 204 is heated by the heating system 212. The extruder 204also functions to convey the material to the crosshead 202, and toprovide pressure for forcing the material through the crosshead 202.

If the reinforcement members 20 are liquid crystal polymer, the materialis heated to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of thematrix material 18, but less than the melting temperature of thereinforcement members 20. The temperature is preferably sufficientlyhigh to soften the reinforcement members 20 such that the reinforcementmembers 20 are workable and extrudable.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the extruder 204 is depicted as including anextruder barrel 240 and an auger/style extruder screw 242 positionedwithin the extruder barrel 240. An extruder screen 244 can be providedat the exit end of the extruder 204. The extruder screen 244 preventspieces too large for extrusion from passing from the extruder into thecrosshead 202.

The crosshead 202 includes a jacket material input location 300 thatreceives thermoplastic material from the extruder 204. The crosshead 202also includes a tip 302 and a die 304. The tip 302 defines an innerpassageway 306 through which the optical fiber 12 and buffer layer 14are fed. The die 304 defines an annular extrusion passage 308 thatsurrounds the exterior of the tip 302. The crosshead 202 defines anannular passageway for feeding the thermoplastic jacket material to theannular extrusion passage 308. Within the crosshead 202, the flowdirection of the thermoplastic material turns 90 degrees relative to theflow direction of the extruder 204 to align with the buffered fiber.

After the fiber optic cable 10 is extruded, the fiber optic cable 10 isthen cooled and shape set at the water trough 218. The extrusion processcan be a pressure or semi-pressure extrusion process where productleaves the crosshead 202 at the desired shape, or an annular extrusionprocess where the product is drawn down after extrusion. After cooling,the product is collected on the take-up roller 220.

If the reinforcement members 20 are liquid crystal polymer, it ispreferable that the material provided to the crosshead 202 by theextruder 204 be maintained at a temperature greater than the melttemperature of the matrix material 18, but less than the melttemperature of the reinforcement members 20. As the thermoplasticmaterial is extruded through the annular extrusion passage 308, thematrix material 18 and the reinforcement members 20 are stretched. Thisstretching causes reshaping of the reinforcement members 20 intoelongated reinforcement members 20 having lengths generally aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the fiber optic cable 10.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeembodiments set forth herein.

1-7. (canceled) 9-20. (canceled)
 21. A fiber optic cable assemblycomprising: a fiber optic cable including: an optical fiber having acore surrounded by a cladding; a jacket surrounding the optical fiber,wherein the jacket includes a plurality of reinforcement membersintegrated into a matrix material of the jacket; a connector assemblyincluding a rear housing having a connector end directly engaged with anend portion of the jacket.
 22. A fiber optic cable assembly as claimedin claim 1, wherein the end portion of the jacket includes a texturizedsurface on an outer perimeter of the end portion.
 23. A fiber opticcable assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the texturized surfaceincludes a plurality of external threads.
 24. A fiber optic cableassembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connector assembly is inthreaded engagement with the texturized surface of the jacket.
 25. Afiber optic cable assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the endportion of the jacket defines a bore adapted to receive the connectorend of the connector assembly.
 26. A fiber optic cable assembly asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the connector end includes a plurality offlared portions for retaining the connector end in the bore of thejacket.
 27. A fiber optic cable assembly as claimed in claim 6, furthercomprising a crimp disposed along the texturized surface of the jacket,wherein the texturized surface assists in the retention of the crimpwhen the crimp is in tight engagement with the jacket.
 28. A fiber opticcable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector end is aselectively deformable structure that defines an inner cavity adapted toreceive the jacket.
 29. A fiber optic cable comprising: an optical fiberhaving a core surrounded by a cladding; a jacket surrounding the opticalfiber, the jacket including about 40% to about 70% by weight of aplurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material ofthe jacket.
 30. A fiber optic cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein thejacket includes an end portion having a texturized surface on an outersurface of the end portion.
 31. A fiber optic cable as claimed in claim10, wherein the texturized surface on the outer surface of the connectorend portion is knurled.
 32. A fiber optic cable as claimed in claim 10,wherein the texturized surface includes a plurality of external threads.33. A fiber optic cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reinforcementmembers are selected from a group consisting of rods, tendrils,extensions, fibers and combinations thereof.
 34. A fiber optic cable asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the reinforcement members have lengths lessthan 3.2 mm and diameters less than 100 μm.
 35. A fiber optic cable asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the elongation of the jacket is less than3% when subjected to a 26 lb. tensile force.
 36. A method formanufacturing a fiber optic cable comprising the steps of: mixing amatrix material and a plurality of reinforcement members in an extruder;extruding the mixture of the matrix material and the reinforcementmembers through an annular extrusion passage of an extrusion die to forma jacket; and texturizing an end portion of the jacket.
 37. A method ofmanufacturing a fiber optic cable as claimed in claim 16, wherein thereinforcement members have lengths less than 3.2 mm and diameters lessthan 100 μm.
 38. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the reinforcement members constitute about40% to about 70% of the material of the jacket by weight.
 39. A methodof manufacturing a fiber optic cable as claimed in claim 16, wherein theelongation of the jacket is less than 3% when subjected to a 26 lb.tensile force.
 40. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable asclaimed in claim 16, further comprising the step of removing materialfrom an end portion of the jacket to define a bore.